The French Influence Cavanal Hill is known as the “World’s Highest Hill,” reaching 1,999 feet above the surrounding terrain. While this is impressive, the history surrounding Cavanal is even more alluring. The legacy of Cavanal has had a tremendous impact on Poteau and the surrounding area. The area was first settled in the late 1700s […]
Oklahoma’s First Woman Mayor: Ms. Nora Shaw
Progressive Poteau Since Poteau was first established, historically, it’s been known as a very progressive and vibrant city. During the late 1800s, many notorious outlaws and famous U.S. Marshals visited the early town. Those included people such as Belle Starr and Ed “Coon” Ratterree. In the 1910s, Poteau was one of the only towns in […]
Robert S. Kerr’s “Forgotten” history
From 1926 until 1963, Senator Robert S. Kerr was a force to be reckoned with. Most people know him as an oil baron, partner with the Kerr-McGee Oil Industries, Inc. Others know him as a prominent political figure, moving and shaking things across the country with the likes of President John F. Kennedy. However, there’s […]
President Kennedy Visits Poteau
Kennedy Visits Oklahoma 1961 was a huge year for both residents of Poteau and all of LeFlore County. In that year, one of the most loved presidents of recent years traveled to Poteau and to Big Cedar to dedicate the new highway. However, this visit was not without controversy. The highway, although important for the […]
Fort Coffee: How an Old Fort Helped Shape Southeastern Oklahoma
The U.S. Army’s Presence in Indian Territory Just past the Arkansas border in old Indian Territory, an old military fort existed high on top of a rocky outcropping that overlooked the Arkansas River. Starting in 1816, the U.S. Army established quite a number of these forts in Oklahoma. At this time, the army was not […]
Lake Wister: History and Attractions for Lake Wister State Park
Southeastern Oklahoma’s Most Beautiful Lake Wister Lake is one of the most beautiful lakes in Southeast Oklahoma. It is located in LeFlore County on the boundary of the Ouachita Mountains and the Arkoma Basin, just south of Wister, Oklahoma. Construction of Wister Lake In addition to the large wildlife preserve surrounding the lake, this Oklahoma […]
Poteau Christmas from the Past
Poteau Christmas Traditions Like a scene out of an old time Christmas movie, downtown Poteau has always thrived during the holiday seasons. During the earliest days, from the late 1800’s through the 1910’s, the traditions were centered around family. People would gather in each others homes to sing traditional Christmas songs as well as popular […]
The Terry House on the Hill, or the Doc Woodson Home in Poteau, Oklahoma
The story of the House on Terry Hill, also known as the Woodson Home, begins when Oklahoma was still Indian Territory. George W. Terry, a prominent Poteau businessman and civic leader, was also a romantic. Nearly every day, George would get his exercise by hiking up Cavanal Mountain. It was during one of these hikes […]
The George W. Terry Building in Historic Downtown Poteau
Historic Downtown Poteau can boast of having two Mesker buildings. The Angry Mullet, a newly formed coffee shop and cafe, occupies one of the best preserved Mesker buildings in the area. While the facade is an important part of the building, the history surrounding it speaks volumes about Poteau’s early role in the region. The […]
The Victory Theater in Pictures; Poteau Oklahoma
Theater Origins in Poteau In the late 1800’s and early 1900’s, there was a number of entertainment options in Downtown Poteau, Oklahoma. The first theater in Poteau was very Shakespearean in style. Called the Air Dome Theater, this was an open air theater that drew in people from miles around. Besides theaters, Poteau also had […]